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FOLDING C OVER, TOPrAWNING, AND T'HE LIKE. APPLlcATloN 111:0 11111.11. 11111.` 1,308,392. Patented Ju1y1, 1919.

` 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

THB COLUMBIA FMNDDRAPH C0" WASHIHUTN. D. l1

D. E. BDNNER.

FOLDING COVER, TOPjAWNINDy vAND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. 5. |914.

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FOLDING COVER, TOP, AWNING, AND THE LIKE.

Specieaton of Letters Patent.

Patent-.ea July 1i, 1919.

Application led January 6, 1914. Serial No. 810,576.

To all whom t may concern v Be it known that I, DoUeLAs E. BoNNnR, a citizen of the United States, and resident of the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in" Folding Covers, Tops, Awnings, and the like, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to folding tops for vehicles, awnings or similar covers, andhas forI its object to provide a structure of Athese types which can be raised or lowered easily by one person and whichis economical of manufacture and simple. My improyement also includes a joint or pivot which is capable of being locked andunloclred in a sim ple manner and which is securely iixed in its locked position against accidental or other disarrangement. My invention also com,- prises a novel means for securing the top, awning or cover in its extended position by attaching itto the object to which it is applied. A further object of my improvement is to construct said means in a manner to secure proper registration and copera-` tion of the parts at all times even if the relative positions thereof should change during` use and so that none of the forward and backward strains, vibrations and shocks which may occur in the top, cover or awning will be transmitted to the supporting me-` dium, for instance the wind shield of a vehicle.

and the features ofnovelty will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying` drawings, Figure 1 shows a side elevation of my invention in its extended or unfolded condition, illustrated by way of example as a top for a vehicle; Figs. 2, 3 and 4 show detail views of my improved joint or pivot in dify Figs. 5 and 6 show de tail views of different forms of said joint or ferent positions.

Other objects of my invention will. appear from the description hereinafter inforcing material and which is secured to the bows and the vehicle body in any customary manner. A strut or member 17 is pivoted at 18 to the main bow 12 and has its opposite end connected with the hoop or pealr bow 'by means of my novel form of pivot described in detail hereinafter. j

As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 the strut or member 17 is provided at `one end with an elongated slot 19 'and a notched portion or open ended recess 20.having a relatively short upper lip 21 anda relatively longer lower lip 22. The hoop or bow 15V is pro vided with a pivot pin or projection 23 which extends through the slot 20 and a second pin or projection 24 adapted to enter the open ended recess 21 of the member 17 both pins 23 and 24 being preferably constructed witlrnuts or heads` 232,24 respectively to secure the parts 15 and 17 against transverse separation.

ln the extended position shown in Fig. 1 and in detail in Fig. 2 the pin 24 is located in the recess 20 beneath the lip 21 and the pin 23 is located at the inner end of the slot 19, the said pins 23 and 24 being maintained in this position by covering material` 16 which is taut and under tension and `consequently exerts apull toward the rear of the vehicle. The cooperation of the pin 24` and lip 2l, when the )arts are in this position, thus prevent the la turning on the pivot pin 23 or in other words prevents the pivotal connection between said strut or member 17 and the bow 15 from being broken. The said member 17 and bow 15 are consequently maintained as a substantially rigid unit and are prevented from as suming the position for instance as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

' To lower the top from the said extended position as shown in Fig. 1, the bow 15 is raised slightly, carrying with it member 17 which latter swings on pivot 18. This movement of bow 15 and member 17 slaclc` ens the covering material 16 and permits the bow 15 to be moved forward or slidably shifted relatively to the member 17 and carries the pins 23 and 24 forward in slot 19 and recess 2O respectivelyuntil pin 24 is free from the upper lip 21 of said recess 20 as shownin Fig. 3. Thebow 15 and member 17 are now free to swing on the pivot pin 23 and to assume a folded position passing through a position asshown in dotted ow 15 from swinging or lines Fig. 1. Thereafter the bows 12, 13 and 111 may be lowered around pivot 11 as shown in Fig. 4: to a substantially horizontal position to completely fold the top, awning or cover.

Tor again extend the top or the like, the bows 12, 13 and 14 are first raised after which the member 17 and bow"15 are eX- tended, the pins 23 and 24 being automatically returned to theposition shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and maintained in this position by the tension of the covering material 16.

Fig. 5 shows a dierent form of pivotal connection between and 17 in which the pivot pin 23T on the bow 15 is of elongated cross section as' shown inthe illustration. In this form the member 17 is provided with a slot 19a which terminates in an enlarged circular or'other portion 191.

The slot 19a is of a width suficient to receive and lock the elongated pin 23L only when the member 17 and bow 15 are substantially in line', whereas when the pin 23a is shifted to theenlarged part 19b of said slot '1'9ajby a sliding movement of bow 15 relatively to the member 17, after the tension of the covering material has been released as before described, said pin 23a is free to turn completely around so that the top may be folded as described hereinbefore.

Fig. 6 shows another form of the pivotal connection. In this form the member 17 is provided with a closed vslot 19c at one end for the accommodation of the pivot pin 23h, and extends between iianges 15a and 15b of the bow 15, the latter in this case having substantially a U-shap'e in crossssection, and having the lflange 15a made somewhat shorter than ythe flange 15b, as clearly shown in said Fig. 6, although'this is not absolutely necessary. In the position illustrated the tension of the 4covering" material maintains the pin 23b at the rear end of the slot A19c so that the end of the member 17 is firmlyT held between the flanges 15 and 15b and the bow 15 consequently locked in its extended position. When itis desired to lower the top, the tension of the covering material 16 is releasedk as in the two previous forms and the bow 15 is moved for'v'vard or slidably shifted relatively to the member 17 to move the pin 2.3b yto the forward end of the slot19c. In this position the end'of the member 17 will have been moved from beneath the flange 15a thus making it possible to break the connection and leaving the bow 15 free to be swung on the pin 23b and the top free to be folded.

In both ofv the forms last described th'e top is raised by a reverse operation of the parts, thepins '23a and 23b in each case being automatically moved `to a position in the respective slots to securely lockthe peak bow and members in'extended position. It will readily be seen that various other forms of pivots might be employed in the same way.

The means for attaching the front portion of the top, when extended. to the vehicle or other object is shown in Fig. 1 and in detail in Figs. 7 and S, which illustrate the hoop 15 looking from in front of the cover or at right angles to Fig. 1.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, 25 is a standard, or in the case of an automobile or other vehicle, a part of a windshield carried by the vehicle or other object to which the cover is applied, the upper end of which standard is preferably threaded as shown at 26. Upon this threaded end 26 is mounted an internally threaded member or cap 27 having a segmental slot 28 through which extends a stop pin 29 carried by the screw threaded portion 26 of standard 25. Finger pieces 3() may be attached to the member 27 at a point above the slot 23 by means of which said cap or member 27 may be manipulated or rotated on the screw-threaded portion 26 of the standard 25 for the purpose to be more clearly described hereinafter. The rotative movement of the cap or member 27 may be arrested at any desired point, this depending on the location of the pin 29. An angle piece-31 preferably T-shaped projects up wa'rdly from the cap or member 27 and cooperates with a channel member 32 secured to the bow 15 at any suitable point to lock these parts together as will appear more clearly hereinafter. The said member 32 is formed with flanges 33 projectii'ig toward each other and forming a transverse recess and an open ended slot 34 extending in a direction lengthwise of the cover when the latter israised or extended and communicatingwith said recess. The slot 34 is arranged to extend in the said direction so that when the angle piece 31 and channel member are connected, the latter is capable of a movement relatively to the said angle piece 31 in the direction of the length of the extended cover. VVith this arrangement any forward or backward strains. vibrations and shocks which may occur in the cover will simply cause a relative sliding movement between the member 32 and piece 31 and in consequence will not be transmitted to the wind shield or other element carrying tln` piece 31. The slot 34 is further arranged as described in order to accomi'n'odate any variations that may occur between the positions of standard 25 and bow 15 and to secure a proper registration thereof aiY all times. If necessary the position of themember 32 may be adjusted in a forward or backward direction to secure a proper coperation of the parts.

Fig. 7 shows the attachment in position in which the cover or top is secured to the upright or standard 25. In this position the cross-members of the angle piece 31 are located above the flanges 33 at an angle to the j slot 34: and the stem or upright member of said angle piece 31 is positioned in said slot to unscrew 27 from 26, this movement con-` tinuing until stopped by the pin 29 at a` point when the cross-members or arms ofthe angle piece 3l are at right angles to the slot 35i and thus held` against removal through said slot by the flanges 33. I-Ience it Will be seen that the forces of vibration and the upward pull of the cover or covering material. prevents the `cap 27 from becoming disengaged from the angle piece 3l. i

When itis desired to `disconnect the cover or top from the standard 25 the fingerpieces i 30 are rotated through 90c from the position shown in Fig. 7 to `the position shown in Fig. 8, or until the cross-members of the an gle piece 3l are in line or registry with the slot 34. In this position the said angle piece 31 may readily be `disconnected from the channel member 32 and the top thus released from the standard 25 and folded or otherwise manipulated as may be desired.

With my improved construction it will readily be seen that the top or cover is eas ily manipulated either to be raised or lowered and is rigidly maintained in its eX tended or unfolded condition. As before stated, the standard 25 may comprise a separate element or may beincorporated as part of a Windshield if the latter is present as in a vehicle. small boat or the like. `It is of course to be understood that my improved joint connection may be used other than in com bination with my attaching or securing device shown in Figs. 7 and 8 and similarly that said securing device may be combined with tops other than the particular forms shown and described.

Preferably I employ duplicate parts on each side of the vehicle or other object with which the top, awning or cover is combined.

It is obvious that many changes in detail and construction could be employed Without departing from the spirit of my invention as defined in the claims and it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the particular forms shown.

I could make changes such for instance as It will be understoodfthat the location of the angle piece 31 and channel member 32 may be Vreversed under certain conditions, that is the `angle piece may be carried by the bow 15a and thechannel member may be secured to or form part of the standard 25 or windshield if the latter forms part of the structure in question. The iange 15- may be entirely omitted if this should be desired and in some both iianges l5a and 15b might terminate short of the inner end of the bow l5. In this latter case the joint could be broken in two directions. `It is further to be understood that the various parts will be so` constructed to foldingof the top.

i l. In a folding cover, the combination of a main bow, ast-rut pivoted thereto, a peak bow, a pivotal connection between said strut and peak bow carried by one of said last two elements and movable lengthwise of the other of said two elements, coperating means on said strut and peak bow adapted in one position of the pivotal connection to lock said strut and peak bow together in an extended position and in another position of said pivotal connection to permit a pivotal folding movement thereof and a flexible covering connected with said main and peak bow.,` said covering in the raised position of the top being under tension and producing a `compression strain in said strut and peak bow whereby said coperating means are maintained inoperative connection with each other. 1

2. In a folding cover, a strut provided `with aislot having a reduced portion and an enlarged portion, a bow slida'ble lengthwise of said strut, and `an angular proj ectlon carried by said bowand `movable into the re-` duced portion of the slot to lock the strut and lbow together and movable into the enlarged portion of said slot to permit a pivotal movement of the strut and bow.

3. rlhe combination. of a vehicle, Ia folding cover mounted thereon, a first member carried by the vehicle body, a second member carried by said cover, one of said members being formed with a recess having a reduced entrance end and the other member having a projection adapted to enter said recess and to be rotated therein to extend transversely across the entrance end of said recess where by said members are detachably connected together and said cover is secured in its raised position.

i. The combination of a vehicle, a supporting element thereon, a folding cover mounted on said vehicle and having its one end contiguous to said supporting element in the raised position of said top and coperating locking members on said supporting element and top respectively arranged to be secured together against separation in provide for a complete lll() .iii

' disengagedrto permitrairelative vibration of saidf cover v in directionstransverse to said supporting element.

5. The combination of avehicle; aifolding cover therefor, onef of said elements: being provided with:y ay transverse recess and an open slot communicating) therewith and'` a locking membere rotatablyy mounted" on the other. element and! adapted: in one position to cooperate with said recess toflock saidl cover in its extended position and! in another position vto Abe, removable through said slotVV to disengage-saidpover and' permit af folding thereof. 4

6. The combination ofawehicle', a folding cover .therefor providediatits forward portion with a .T-shapedfslot, a rigid support on said*vehicleorfotlier object, aT-shaped proj eetionw rotatably.` mounted onI said support! and adaptedy toy coperate With said slot to' loclr saidfcover in its' extended 'posi-l tion land means forv actuating said projection to'bringlit to itsiloclringlposition infsaidslot andifor moving-` iti to. a position to vdisconnectfitffrom sa-idfslot-to release-said covert 7 The combination .fof `a vehicle, a ifoldinfg cover mountedthereon and having itsffor- Ward end. contiguous to a` substantiallyV rig-ld portion of y said vehicle'y in 1 they raised position of the top and members on saidV portion off the 'vehicle land top: respectively arranged stomterloch: against separation in vertical directions ywhereby said `forward endl of said: top is` connected with s-aidl vehicle portion to lock said top against collapse, said'members, when interlocked, being slidablerelatively to each other in directions transverse to the vertical whereby said top is capabley of independent" forward and A backwn rd i vibration.

8.A The combination of a vehicle, ya cover carried by: and extending: over-the same, a support, afsocket carriedby one'of said last named elements, a projection rotatably mounted on the other element and ladapted to enter: sai'dr socket' whereby the front end of the cover is securedI inoperative position, and means on said other element for limitinguthe rotary movement of said projection thereon;

9. The combination of a-vehicle, a cover carried; by` and extendingover the same, a T-shapedsocket carriedby said cover, an upright member: on said vehicle having a screw-threaded; portion, a' cap in screwthreadedv engagement with said screwthreaded portion and' providedv with 1 aA slot, a T-shapediprojection carried by said cap adapted to be cOnne'CtedWith andvdisconnected' from said socket by rotating said cap,uand ai piircarried Iby said upright member andextendinrgrthrough the slot of said cap whereby a rotary movement of the-latterl on said member isf'arrested.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my vhand in th'eipresence` of two subscribing witnesses.-

DOUGLAS E. BONNER.

fitnesses JOI-IN A; KEHLENBECK', FRED' A; KLEIN.

Copiesfof thi-sfpatentimay ybe obtainedfor five cents each,.by,addressing-the Commissioner 01E-Patents, Washington, Dici. 

